McConnell denies “stitch up” over special envoy role

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Jack McConnell attempted yesterday to fight off embarrassing claims that he was “stiched up” by Gordon Brown over his promised posting as High Commissioner to Malawi.

The former First Minister was told that he cannot take up the post as expected early next year in order to avoid the risk of a by-election defeat for Labour in his Motherwell and Wishaw constituency.

The SNP would be hopeful of winning the seat if an election were called, requiring a swing of 11.35 per cent to overturn Mr McConnell's majority of 5,938. However, Mr McConnell will remain an MSP until the next